The new BIREL karts

[sn00pie]

Birel, my karting team's chassis supplier has introduced a new chassis -- the R31SR, it features an entire new sidepods design. Which I think looks horrible! At the moment I'm still running it's predecessor, the R31S and Q31S. But the R31SR- and Q31SR orders are already in and I'll have them before next month's race, yuck!

This is the classic layout.


What do you think looks best?

 

[bigwhlkid]

the pic doesnt seem to work for me?

but i do like the way the old version looks alot, like a kart should look like in my mind.

 

[vat_man]

Well, the Benetton B195 was a very ugly race car, and it was fairly quick as I recall.

 

[-Fred-]

Originally posted by vat_man
Well, the Benetton B195 was a very ugly race car, and it was fairly quick as I recall.

It also had very little competition...


I dont know, it looks like a big toy, especially the part over the steering column and the gas tank.

 

[Cobraboy]

It shouldn't be about what looks best, you should worry about which is fastest...

 

[bigwhlkid]

yes, but you have to have the style thing going as well.

the pic seems to work at school, it doesnt look bad. lets see how it does on the track.

 

[12sec. Civic]

I am sure the new one is better. It doesnt matter what they look like.


What kind of engines do those have? How much does the kart itself weigh?

 

[sn00pie]

I'm running Bombardier engines at the moment, Rotax Max 125cc, 30hp, max rpm 15k. Including engine it weighs about 115kg's.

 

[thinkers]

Rotax engines kick butt. I had a sled a few years ago, with a rotax 582.

 

[BMW POWER]

i dont know the first thing about karting and i was just wondering what sort of acceleration and speed you get out of them, because something thats got 30hp and only weighs 115kg has got to be fast

 

[sn00pie]

Originally posted by BMW POWER
i dont know the first thing about karting and i was just wondering what sort of acceleration and speed you get out of them, because something thats got 30hp and only weighs 115kg has got to be fast

Depending on the gear settings, I can get up to 150km/h @ 14500RPM. 0 - 100KMH in slightly over 4 seconds.

 

[sn00pie]

In the meanwhile...

...I have taken delivery of both the Q31SR and R31SR, having only driven the Q I can honestly say I'm impressed. The new chassis is a little over 5KG's heavier, which is a good deal for me - because I have to carry extra weight due to my insufficient body weight, which is now worked into the chassis.
It's basically the same set-up as last year's Q and R's only this year Birel has given the rear a lot more bite. Making it extremely controllable and above all fun!

As for the design... it's growing on me. I have it in yellow + team colours. I'll have some pictures soon.

 

[viperman]

hey snoop how is the birel coming? we got about 10 peopel in so cal who run birels, they are pretty good. I have a crg myself. o and the new bodywork

 

[sn00pie]

I'm pretty happy with the new Birel's, especially the rain chassis feels a lot grip-happier! CRG, huh? I suppose they're quite good, but I really don't like the black paint scheme.